Is A Carnivore Diet For Weight Loss?

Carnivore diet involves eating meat and animal products. Other foods are excluded. With the concept, you might wonder, “Is a carnivore diet for weight loss?”

Keep reading to know more.

Is Carnivore Diet for Weight Loss?

Certain aspects of it may cause weight loss. Some studies showed that a high-protein diet can promote weight loss, especially if it is paired with a low-carb diet.

Since a carnivore diet focused on eating meat and animal products, you’ll be consuming a lot of protein and low carbs. Thus, it may help you lose weight.

Eating a high-protein diet can help you feel full. As a result, it can reduce your calorie intake, thereby, assisting you in losing weight.

Furthermore, a high-protein meal can increase your metabolic rate. Thus, it can help you burn more calories.

As you increase your protein intake while you reduce carb intake, you can experience sustained weight loss compared to a low-protein and high-carb diet.

Benefits of a Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet includes eating only meat and animal products. It excludes cakes, candy, and other high-carb foods. These foods are high in calories but they are low in nutrients.

Furthermore, high-sugar foods are also not ideal for individuals diagnosed with diabetes. That’s because they can increase blood sugar levels.

Thus, as you limit refined carbs, this diet can help in controlling your diabetes.

But eliminating carbs is not necessary for managing diabetes. Rather, health experts recommend eating small high-fiber carbs that won’t spike blood sugar levels.

With all those benefits, you may think that the carnivore diet can indeed help you lose weight. But what if you’re gaining weight even after following this diet?

Eating Too Much

Indeed, this diet is high in protein and it may help you lose weight. However, it doesn’t mean that you overeat.

Keep in mind that your calorie intake still matters if your goal here is to lose weight.

In that case, it is still vital that you consume fewer calories than your body burns. For instance, if you need 1,500 calories a day, you should only consume such an amount or lower it to 1,300 calories.

Not Exercising

You also won’t lose weight with this diet if you don’t exercise. It is like any diet. You can get fat on this diet if you consume a lot of food without exercise.

No matter how strict you are on this diet, if you overeat and sit on the couch throughout the day, you will gain weight.

Remember that you can only lose a pound of fat if you burn 3,500 calories each week.

Calorie deficit and exercise are your best options to lose weight with a carnivore diet.

How to Lose Weight with Carnivore Diet?

If your goal in following this diet is to lose weight, then you need to eat less and increase your physical activities. By eating fewer calories than your body burns, you can expect significant results in a few weeks.

You may also try incorporating intermittent fasting. There are different IF plans. But we recommend starting a shorter fast, like 12 hours or 16 hours.

On the other hand, if you’ve been practicing IF, it’ll be easier for you to incorporate it into a carnivore diet.

Then again, even with intermittent fasting, you still need to watch your calories. Even if you exercise but your calorie intake is still higher than your body burns, you won’t lose weight.

Another thing you can do to help you lose weight with a carnivore diet is to drink more water. Drinking more water can help you lower your calorie intake.

You may think that you’re hungry. But it can be that you’re only dehydrated. So, when you hydrate yourself, you can avoid eating more.

Because you eliminated fruit and vegetables from your diet, your body may not have enough electrolytes and minerals. Thus, it’s vital to drink more water. You may also consider taking supplements.

Furthermore, you should not eat because of habit. Instead, you should only eat when you’re truly hungry.

If you’re used to snacking at 9 am, you may eat out of habit. However, you may consider drinking water first. Wait for 20 minutes. If you’re still hungry after 20 minutes, it means that you’re indeed hungry.

When you know how to distinguish being hungry from eating out of habit, you can drastically reduce your calorie intake.

On the other hand, if you’re still not losing weight despite lowering your calorie intake, it might be time for you to consult with a fitness expert or a dietitian.

It can be that you’re already losing weight but it doesn’t reflect on the weighing scale.

Is Carnivore Diet for Everyone?

Unfortunately, this diet isn’t for everyone. You may belong to a certain population and this diet can be problematic.

If you suffer from chronic kidney disease, this diet isn’t for you. Keep in mind that this diet is high in protein. Individuals with this type of disease need to limit their protein intake.

Furthermore, if you’re sensitive to cholesterol, you need to be cautious with this diet. Most animal products are high in cholesterol.

It’s also not for you if you struggle with restrictive eating.

When you’re on this diet, you mustn’t become overambitious. Even if you don’t see the scale not moving, it’s vital to stay focused.

Always remember that the weight will come off eventually. Every person is different. With time, you will see the rest that you’re hoping for.

The most important thing here is to stay focused on your goal. Don’t be depressed if you don’t see results after a week or so.

You may also try talking to a coach or a fitness trainer. Or you can contact a dietitian to formulate a meal plan for you.

If you’re still not losing weight after a month or so, you may need to look at what you’re eating. As mentioned, overeating on a carnivore diet won’t lead to weight loss. Rather, you’ll experience weight gain.

Summary

Is a carnivore diet good for weight loss? It can lead to weight loss. However, you need to be mindful of your calorie intake. Otherwise, you will still gain weight with it.